On Taslima Nasreen, fatwas and burqas…

Khushwant Singh recently�penned an article in HT (“A room and a thought to spare“, Feb 16 ’07)) �strongly supporting�Tasleema Nasreen to stay in India beyond the expiry of her visa.

Excerpts below (emphasis mine):

“Millions of Indians must have been relieved to hear that Taslima Nasreen’s visa which was due to expire in a week has been extended to her life-time so that she can become a citizen of India. A fatwa pronounced by some Bangladeshi bigots – for her turning a free thinker – has put her life in jeopardy in Bangladesh. Thousands of Bangladeshis have been illegally sneaking in from their country to India, finding means of livelihood, getting ration cards and voting rights.

We have not been able to do anything about them. Here we have a case of an eminent novelist who came to India legally and is threatened with expulsion. Her only crime is that in her novel Lajja she exposed rampant corruption and religious skulduggery in her homeland and reneged from her faith. She has every right to do so. Mullahs pronounced the sentence of death on her. It is our sacred duty to protect her from harm.

�In an article published in The Outlook, Taslima exhorted Muslim women to “burn their burqas”. It created an uproar in orthodox Muslim circles. The Koran and the Hadith were quoted in support of as well as against women wearing burqas.

It is assumed that it is a matter which concerns Muslims only. This is not so: it concerns all of us because Muslims are an integral part of our society. Non-Muslims would like to be closer to Muslims, their families visit Muslim homes and receive them in theirs. This is not possible if bigoted Muslims persist in segregating women folk and bullying them to wear burqas when they step out. Segregating women is a relic of the medieval past and should be discarded in the interests of the Muslim community.�

I�fully support Taslima’s call to burn burqas. Other Muslims nations are fast getting rid of them. Pakistan and Bangladesh have had women prime ministers and ambassadors. Pakistan, Tunisia, Libya and many other Muslim countries have women soldiers. Who are these mullahs and their female counterparts to tell us that wearing a burqa is a religious obligation? It is not; it has become an emblem of jehalat -� ignorance and backwardness.”


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20 Responses

  1. rakhal saha says:

    I AM PLEASED TO SEE YOUR WEBSITE.
    I DO HAVE A VAST DATABASE ON THIS TOPIC OF ISLAM.
    I BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE USEFUL TO ENLIGHTEN CITIZENS OF THE WORLD TO REALIZE THE DANGER THIS CULT OF ISLAM POSES ALL OVER THE WORLD. CAN YOU PUBLISH SOME OF MY COLLECTED ITEMS – MOST OF THEM WRITTEN BY EX MUSLIMS TO EXPOSE THE HYPOCRACY OF WITHIN THIS FAIAT.

  2. prince of angels says:

    ……wen poor hungry bangladeshis enter india in a hope to get aid, help and sustenance…..they r considered terrorists jst coz they r muslims….n wen ppl lke tasleema coms to india they are welcomed wth red carpet…..why???….jst coz enemy of enemy(muslims) are frnds of hindus……its amazing tat in an attempt to show hatred against minority community, our majority community has bent down to such an extent that they have bcom blind to the sufferings of refugees, deaf to the pleas of our poor neighbors and even mute to lend them a kind word….how inhuman this community can becom jst to show hatred against muslims…

  3. B Shantanu says:

    @ prince: You are on a slippery slope here…

    Please avoid making statements thatr are difficult to back or fly in the face of evidence to the contrary.

    Specifically, pl cite an example of “…poor hungry Bangladeshis…r considered terrorists jst coz they r muslims….

    Also what makes you say that “…majority community has bent down to such an extent that they have bcom blind to the sufferings of refugees, deaf to the pleas of our poor neighbors and even mute to lend them a kind word….how inhuman this community can becom jst to show hatred against muslims…”?

    I am letting your comments stay on the blog this time but be aware that I will be forced to delete or edit/moderate them if you continue to make unsubstantiated allegations and statements..

    I welcome a healthy discussion on this blog but I do enjoy reading stuff that is devoid of facts or does not explain the rationale behind statements or opinions.

    Thanks.

  4. v.c.krishnan says:

    Dear Sir,
    Let me make it very clear that no true ‘Sanatana Dharmist” will go against his grain of giving safety to any person.
    When the JEWS came in as refugees “THIS COUNTRY GAVE THEM FULL SUPPORT” Yes Sir, this happened more than 2000 THOUSAND YEARS ago.
    When the PARSEES came in as refugees “THIS COUNTRY GAVE THEM FULL SUPPORT” Yes Sir, this happened more than 2500 THOUSAND YEARS ago.
    When the parsis came in the King in “GUJARAT” (Note the state) asked them how will they live in this country. They said that they will be like sua with water.
    Yes Sir, they will live adopting the life of the people of this country but will maintain the identity of their “WAY OF LIFE” and they are still living here. SUCCESSFULLY!!!!!!
    But when the POOR Bangladeshis come here they want to exterminate the “WAY OF LIFE” existing here by adopting the stance their “FOREFATHERS” adopted when the first wave of RAIDERS AND MARUDERS came in.
    This country will always support true “POOR SOULS” not individuals who have covert thoughts in their minds.
    If they want to live here let them be like the JEWS and the PARSIS. Mix but maintain the identity and live within the social norms of where they are living.
    Please accept my apologies if I have been harsh. It hurts me when this land of “TRUTH” and “DHARMA” is being lambasted because of “BLATANT UNTRUTH” and “CANARDS” spread over more than 250 years of “MISRULE”.
    Regards,
    vck

  5. B Shantanu says:

    Some of you will find this blog post by Bharatiya interesting re the comments made above:

    “…Sarojini Nagar, October 29, 2005 New Delhi; Indian Institute of Science, December 28, 2005, Bangalore; Sankat Mochan Temple, 7 March 2006, Varanasi; Mira-Bayandhar, Jogeshwari, Mahim, Santacruz, Khar, Matunga, Borivili, 11 July 2006, Mumbai; Malegaon, 8 September 2006, Nashik to Lumbini Park, Gokul, August 25, 2007, Hyderabad…

    (I haven’t documented all because they are just too many in number exposing how soft the India state has become) have one thread in common – the Bangladeshi connection – indoctrinated jehadi elements who have infiltrated across the 2,216 km long border with West Bengal & have then dispersed at ease all over the country strike at will spreading gore & blood.

    …The US based think-tank Stratfor in its report on terrorism in South Asia highlighted the issue of the islamisation of India’s north-eastern insurgent outfits; this is the alarming disclosure it made in April 2007,

    ‘Pakistan’s ISI, in cooperation with Bangladesh’s Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI), appears to be investing a considerable amount of resources in solidifying India’s militant corridor. There are growing indications that these two agencies are working clandestinely in Bangladesh to bring all the northeast-based insurgent outfits and jihadist elements under one umbrella. The ISI has facilitated cooperation between ULFA and other northeastern militant outfits with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka, Islamist militant groups in Kashmir, Islamist groups in Bangladesh and a growing number of al Qaeda-linked jihadist groups operating in the region.

    ….The continuing infiltration & the silent demographic alteration that is taking place along the border districts of West Bengal is robbing me, a bona fide voter & citizen of my democratic right – to vote & elect, let that be the point of discussion in our next interaction.”

  6. prince of angels says:

    …i m sorry if i hurt anyones sentiments…but i hve the rght to speak my mind…i havent used any vulgar language or foul wrds then y shld my statmnts shld be removed from blog….on wat basis…jst coz i told somthng contrary to ur belifs???…a man willingly belivs wat he wishes…..by removng my blogs u wil jst suppress freedom of xpression as wel as my opinions….still its ur site u r the supervisor…its ur wish…but we have to be alert of indian politics and politicians owned media wich r playing cards of minority supressmnt policy jst to create hatred in the mnds of majority communty…..beware of tis dangerous policy wch may even tear off tis nation….as far bangladeshis r concerned, y they will be against india…thos poor ppl dsnt have roof for shelters y they will terrorze india…..pakistan and bngladesh r entirely dffrnt nations wth dffrnt policies…jst coz bngladesh is islamic contry dsnt means its enemy of india….

  7. prince of angels says:

    …for vryones kind information ther wer many indian rackets caught in saudi arabia who wer indulged in trade of women flesh…saudi arabia dsnt tel tat see we gave HINDUS jobs , we gave HINDUS shelter and these ppl are breakin our laws and spreading corruption in our contry…they wont say tat coz its clear tat the persons who r involved r themslvs responsible ..not his religion or his contry….but indians fail to realise this and fall in the trap of indian politics against minorities….a common hindu is being brain washed and misguided in the name of contry and religion…

  8. v.c.krishnan says:

    Dear Sir,
    This is the sad situation “Bharat” is in today. The commies, as we all know have no respect for human life. Their only way of life is living on disruption and destruction.
    They have destroyed the only “HINDU” kingdom in the world.
    Let them try doing it in the “WAHABI” land in the middle east and they will have no place to run.
    May be they will at that time come running to :BHARAT” as refugees as the Parsis and the Jews did thousands of years ago.
    The only way to overcome this disease of infiltration and destruction is to eliminate the cancer of Communism, espicially the “INDIAN TYPE”, note not the “BHARAT” type.
    Regards,
    vck

  9. prince of angels says:

    …mr. krishnan ..no body destroys any kingdom…empires rise and fall in the corse of histry…for ur kind information der was never a hindu kingdom at any point of time in indian history….indias frst emperor was buddhist..chandragupta maurya…

  10. v.c.krishnan says:

    Dear Sir,
    No “WAHABI” goverment will ever give jobs to “PRACTICING HINDUS”. The Hindus there have to follow the principles of the “WAHABI” goverment.
    If a “HINDU” lady wants to go to the local shop, she has to cover her head and sometimes also wear that ” WOMANKIND DEGRADING ALL COVERING WARDROBE” to travel. She has to have a female companion or she has to be with her husband.
    There are no temples in “WAHABI LAND”.
    No hindu can take a copy of the RAMAYAN OR MAHABHARAT or the VISHNU SAHASARNAM into the “WAHABI COUNTRY”.
    No pictures of GODS can be taken.
    No HINDU can eat during the period of “RAMZAN”. he has to eat on the sly or wait like others.
    On the other and what are the benefits our Bangladeshi brethern “ENJOY” in India. Including illegal citizenship, False Ration cards, and above that Illegal Voting rights.
    Nothing is prevented for our fellow human beings, but not everything for illegal migrants who come to cause turmoil here.
    Regards,
    vck

  11. prince of angels says:

    …mr.krishnan u are making wrong comparison….u shld knw tat india is a secular contry and saudi arabia is islamic contry….in india the immigrants have to follow indian laws otherwse they are punished…..same is the case with saudi arabia…they have certain rules wich are their contry laws…they cant change their laws due to immigrants….citizens have to follow the laws of the land then be it any contry….its absolutely wrong tat hindus are prohibited to eat in ramzan….i dnt knw from u got this information…in india there is so much discrimination against minorities….evry few mnths u hear a communal incident or riots tking place against minorities in india…have any one ever heard of any riots against hindus in saudi arabia…..hindus r allowd to stay very peacefully in saudi arabia otherwse hindus never wld had flocked in bunches in saudi arabia vry year……blaming bangladeshis jst coz of their religion is inhuman…..we shld infact help our nebers in their hard times…

  12. B Shantanu says:

    @ prince: pl. respond to my questions raised in the comment dated March 23rd.

    I should reiterate that I reserve the right to edit/delete or modify any comment(s) on this blog.

    Your various comments are rapidly moving towards “troll” territory…I would be forced to ignore them and/or delete them if you continue in this vein.

    If you are so desperate to speak out your mind, by all means start a blog of your own…No one is stopping you from doing that.

  13. prince of angels says:

    ….i knew tis type of reply will sooner or later com from ur side…..i ask u a simple question….does only comments wich satisfy u, all fulfill urs or majority’s wish be accepted..???

  14. B Shantanu says:

    From a recent interview with Taslima Nasreen:

    Q: The last time you were in Delhi, you had to live as if you were under house arrest. Is it better now?

    Taslima: I am grateful to Madanjeet Singh, freedom fighter and a secular humanist, who made my return to India possible. After the famous or infamous ‘safe house’ episode, now life is more relaxing as there are few restrictions. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said, “We recognise Taslima Nasreen’s rights to remain in a country of her choice… She shall also have the option to choose the city”. I hope the promise is kept.

    Q: You had pinned hopes on Sheikh Hasina helping you to return home. That did not happen. Have you at any time thought that you ought to have taken a less controversial path?

    Taslima: I tried my best to go back to my motherland. India has been my one and only refuge. I hope i can continue to live in India. If India refuses me, i will be dead. I have nowhere to go, no place to call my own. The West is not a place where i belong.

    I didn’t create any controversy, people did. A healthy debate is always welcome. It makes a society more democratic, liberal and civilised. I am still struggling to believe that if my ideas are not in consonance with those of extremists, i have to lose my home. I hope i’ll be able to see the right to freedom of expression respected in my lifetime. It’s integral to democracy. Whatever i wrote was done to create consciousness. I am not anti-Muslim. I am pro-human. I will always be with the oppressed whether they are the Hindus in Bangladesh, Muslims in Palestine, Gujarat, Jews or Christians in Pakistan. I think it’s worth upholding ideals that are good for mankind.

    Q: As a writer do you think it is your responsibility not to hurt the sentiments of people?

    Taslima: I never intended to hurt sentiments. I write for women’s rights. Misogynists abhor feminists everywhere. The reaction of fanatics also hurts my sentiments. I believe in my right to express my ideas, as well as the rights of those who oppose me. In a civilised society there should be room for debate and dialogue. But you cannot have people crying for your head, attacking you physically. I am willing to be enlightened by my critics.

  15. harsha says:

    mr prince of angels
    i am sure that given the map of india you will not be able to show the pockets of place where there is violence against muslims, you people read in media and decide that whole of india is anti minority,
    buts that not the fact, even the minority community in india have flourised see mr azim , owner of wipro , most famous personalities in film industry are muslims( indians never stopped watching their movies for they are muslims), in sports mionrity community have been represented the nation ( note they were not selected on basis of reservation but for their talent) even in politics hindus have elected righteous leaders from the muslim community to represent them in parliament,
    only the have nots and the not so worthy create problems in the nation
    every country has some tension due to social issues as say in pakistan between shia & sunni , the thing when such thiings happen between same community its not highlighted but between two communities it gets the media hype & compassion of psedosecularists
    i ask you to visit india take a tour of india with out disclosing your religion, as an indian you will see indians are best host in the world,
    please do not write about thing you have not seen , not experienced, not felt for the sake of commenting

  16. Poornima Pradhyumnan says:

    those who live in glasshouses should not throw bricks at others, no matter how tempting

  17. B Shantanu says:

    Read Sandeep’s masterful analysis here: Blood over Burqa

  18. B Shantanu says:

    Courtesy Krishen-ji, first appeared in Outlook more than 3 years ago…

    As far as I am aware, there were no protests or riot.

    Let’s Burn the Burqa
    The Koran does prescribe purdah; that doesn’t mean women should obey it
    Taslima Nasrin
    Outlook India , 17 January 2007

  19. Ravi says:

    Mr. Prince justifies all ills of Saudi Arabia on the ground it is an Islamic Country. France by law wants head scarves and burqas to be banned. Why is that there is a hue and cry then? Switzerland, by referendum, wants a ban on minarets and that is once again the law. Why a hue and cry? KSA has demolished certain historic monuments (the house of Prophet’s mother, the graveyards of some of the followers, etc.) It has also demolished mosques also. (A car Park on the birth place of the Prophet, Bulldozed and Gasoline poured on the grave of the mother of the Prophet, Lavatories built on the house of Sayyedah Khadijah. Refer http://www.jafariyanews.com/2k6_news/april/28shame_on_saudhouse.htm)

    No protests from Islam. But demolition of Babri Masjid, a mausoleum which does not qualify to be a mosque, we know how our Islamic society has reacted.

    I have been in KSA for 10 years. Saudis do not welcome Bangladeshis because of their anti social activities. Bangladesh has forgotten gratitude for the role in its liberation and excepting in the recent past, it has encouraged anti Indian elements.

    About Hindus not allowed to eat in KSA during Ramadan, it is 100 % true. Non believers (which include all non muslims) are not allowed to eat or drink water before a muslim.

  20. B Shantanu says:

    From STORM IN A DRAPERY – On the significance of words and imagery by Swapan Dasgupta:
    “Maulana Mawdudi, the founder of the Jamaat-e-Islami wrote a tract in 1939 entitled “Purdah and the Status of Women in Islam”.
    His injunctions to women are worth recalling, not least because it explicitly spells out the philosophy of the burqa: “the real place of women is in the house and she has been exempted from outdoor duties. .. She has however been allowed to go out of the house to fulfil her genuine needs, but whilst going out she must observe complete modesty. Neither should she wear glamorous clothes and attract attention, nor should she cherish the desire to display the charms of the face and the hand, nor should she walk in a manner which may attract attention of others. Moreover, she should not speak to them without necessity, and if she has to speak she should not speak in a sweet and soft voice.”